Thousands attend funeral prayers of Shopian youth

Shopian: Amid clashes thousands of mourners participated in the last rites of Shopian youth who succumbed to his injuries at SMHS Hospital Srinagar on Tuesday.
Muhammad Iqbal of Dachan Nagabal Shopian was one among scores of youth injured in Sunday clashes in Badigam Shopian. He was struggling for life in the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday morning.
Reports said that thousands of people from Dachna and its adjoining villages thronged at his native place and participated in his last rites. Several back to back funeral prayers were held for him.
Eyewitnesses said that the word spread in the area that security camp located in the same village was responsible for his killing, scores of youth pelted stones on the camp. Forces responded with tear-smoke shelling. Reports said that many protesters were injured in the massive clashes in the area.
Iqbal was the sixth civilian killed in the clashes that erupted on Sunday after the fierce encounter at Badigam. Five militants including Hizb commander Sadam Paddar were killed in that encounter.